Friday, January 31, 2014

Wow - where did the week go??!! This week just FLEW by! I expect the weekend will be much the same as we're busy with birthday parties and the Ice on Whyte Festival …and lots of relaxing … how is it that relaxing seems to eat away the day? When I don't get up and at 'em - exercising at 8:30 am, showering at 9:00 and walking the dog by 9:45 - I blink and it's noon … and I've accomplished nothing! Oh well … who wants to accomplish anything on a weekend anyway, right?

Toady's card is very very simple … but fun! …and uses more new toys ...

I was inspired by a card I found on Pinterest by Laura Bassen over at www.laurafadora.wordpress.com. Here is her card:

I love this card! I prefer Laura's version because the colours blend nicer than mine … but SU just doesn't have that many shades of each colour. I would like to try this one again using some paint samples "borrowed" from the local hardware store *lol* All you really need for this card is the new Triangle Punch found in the Occasions Mini. I wasn't sure I *needed* a triangle punch … but I now think it's one of those tools I'll be glad I have on hand. Sure - I COULD make a triangle using a square punch … but I'm lazy … and I like toys … :)

The sentiment is from Four You, stamped in Elegant Eggplant. Don't ask me what the colours of the triangles are … that was a week ago that I made it!

Right. I'm off to have my boobies squished in the lovely booby-squishing machine for my annual mammogram. Good times! Pop in again soon - until then - have a stampy day!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Ugh! Another lousy night sleep :( Been awake since 3:00-something … I think a nap will be in order later!

Oh well … gives me a chance to catch up on some work - not much else to do at 4:00 am … with a cat sleeping in your armpit *lol* (makes typing a bit of a challenge!

This morning I wanted to share another card I made for my display board. This was one I put together the DAY of my function. I had wanted to use the "Just Sayin" set … mission accomplished:

Once again it's to a card I would call my "normal" but I love it! I got to use a number of new products … and I just used scraps of paper I had lying on my desk! I used the new Kaleidoscope DSP, the new Basic Metal buttons, the free SAB twine and the Just Sayin' set and Word Bubble framelits. The ink is Bermuda Bay - the card stock is Strawberry slush and Summer Starfruit, which was run through the new Scalloped embossing folder. Yep … LOVE it!

Right! 5:50 am now… time for a BIIIIIG cup o' joe! Until next time, have a stampy day!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Do you know that the biggest Stampin' Up! promotion of the year started yesterday??!! Yep - Sale-a-brations is under way!! For every $60 you spend you get to pick a FREE item from the SAB brochure (yes, I SHOULD have the link posted over to the right but I was busy all day yesterday and then spent all evening inputting orders! ... I'll do it tonight or tomorrow - promise!)

Love it? I LOVE IT!!! As you know, my favorite cards are the ones I come up with all my myself. This is one of those! Oh I STARTED to copy a card from another demonstrator but the only thing that ended up the same was the tone-on-tone paper - after that it totally morphed into this vintage piece ... and I love it. What I ESPECIALLY love is that I found a use for my new Hexagon Hive Thinlit! I bought it and then didn't know what to DO with it!!! Oh sure, I could make a card that looks like a soccer ball ... or a bee hive ... but that's what "everyone" seems to be doing with it ... this is something completely different!

I used Crumb Cake card stock for the base and for the thinlit layer. After running it through the thinlit I sponged some of the hexagons with Soft Suede ink. I wanted to use my new Free SAB set "You're Lovely" so stamped that in Soft Suede and then again in Blushing Bride. I ran the Soft Suede piece through the Big Shot with theDeco Labels Framelits. The Blushing Bride piece I punched out with my 1 3/4" circle punch and popped it up on dimensionals. The color combo just SCREAMED vintage ... and vintage screams doilies! I grabbed mine and played around with them. You can see it but I sponged the doilies with some Blushing Bride ink so soften and age the look a bit. I cit a few doilies to get the shape I wanted behind the sentiments. I then stamped flowers with the Petite Petals stamp using Soft Suede ink on Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla and Soft Suede card stock then punched them out with the Petite Petals punch. I added some pearls to 3 of the flowers, a strip of Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon and Wa-low! I was done!

OK ... gotta run ... I have to take Rebecca to an early morning appointment ... and just mayyyyyybe we'll be playing hookie the rest of the day for some quality Mommy/Daughter time. Shhhhhhh ... don't tell Mr. Freid!

Pop in again soon - I still have lots of projects to share! Until then - have a stampy day!!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

I'm off to Jenny Craig this morning, Fingers crossed that I hit my goal and am "officially" down 20 pounds! Last week I lost 4 …this week I need another 3. I've been exercising EVERY day and being VERY good on eating so I think I'm there. If I'm not it has to be down to muscle and/or water!!

When I wasn't exercising or eating lettuce last week I was crafting. Today's card is one I LOVE (gee … I don't say THAT very often, do I??) Check it out:

I just couldn't resist making another card using the new Vivid Vases stamp. I wanted to use the delicious new black and white images in the Kaleidoscope DSP. Since the paper is so busy it needs to have a clean, simple image. The vases are perfect. I simply stamped them in Black Staz-on on a 3" x 3 1/4" whisper white square. That was matted with a 3 1/4" x 3 1/2" square of basic black, The DSP is a 2" x 4" strip. I punched out a red and silver glimmer heart and a red and silver glimmer banner - attached them and was done!

Monday, January 27, 2014

Ahhh … my favourite day of the week is here again! I think today is a good day to get caught up on all those little jobs I ignored last week while prepping for my Appreciation Night!

Here is another card I made for my display board that I just LOVE! I CASEd the idea from fellow demonstrator Lisa Rhine over at www.getcraftywithlisa.com Her card is so fun and cheery I started to copy it … and of course took a little side road to my own creation. Here is the card Lisa made:

… and here is my card that she inspired:

Can you spot all the new toys I used?

The sun was made with Daffodil Delight and the Banner Punch. The centre is in Strawberry Slush and punched with the 1 3/4"circle punch. The cloud was made using Basic Grey card stock which was run through the FREE SAB dots folder and then punched out with the new Bubble Word Framelits. LOVE it!! I stamped the sentiment from See Ya Later in Bermuda Bay and then punched it out with the same cloud framelit. It fits perfectly … LOVE when that happens! I love the polka dot DSP from the new Kaleidoscope DSP … it just made me think of happy little raindrops "lol". I tied some Strawberry Slush Ruffle Trim around it and added a rhinestone to the cloud and Wa-low! Another fun card for my display board.

I made another fun one the same day … pop in tomorrow to check that one out. Until then, have a stampy day!

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Well! Today I wanted to share with you a card that uses ... let me count ... 10 different stamps/products ... 4 of which are products from the Occasions Mini and/or SAB catalogues on it! Yep - everything but the kitchen sink on this bad boy!!

Check this out:

Can you spot the new products? Let see ...

The doilies are from the SAB Heartfelt Banner Kit

The fabric heart is also from the SAB Heartfelt Banner Kit

The cork flower and little diamond (lower right hand side) are from the SAB Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack

The embossed ampersand is from the new embossing folder in the Occasions catalogue

The burlap ribbon is from the Occasions catalogue (ok - kind of cheated there - it was carried over from the holiday catty - but it still counts!)

The stamps used are also *new*ish ... they are from the "Countless Sayings 2" photopolymer set (the "you", "me" AND "forever" are all in the same set!).
The DSP used is Soho Subway ... and was punched out with the Apothecary Accent framelit.
The button is from the Very VIntage Designer buttons
The card stock is the Core-dinations Cherry Cobbler - sanded to expose the secondary color after it was embossed
The splotches are from Gorgeous Grunge - stamped with Early Espresso Ink
Oh .. and the little Early Espresso heart punched with the small heart punch and popped up for dimension!

!!!

I certainly don't think I'd make a stack of THIS card ... but it sure was fun playing!!!

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Phew! Am I BEAT!!! Last night was SUCH a great night. It is my favorite event of the year. I get to show off all my new toys and treat my friends to laugh, food and drink (and door prizes and stamping!!) as my small way of saying Thank You for supporting me and my business. When I first started Stampin' Up! I heard over and over from other demonstrators that the best part of being part of SU was the friendships they had formed through SU. Blech - gag me, right? Ya ... that's what I thought too - I'd roll my eyes and think *ya - right - totally cheesy*. Well .... fast forward 8 years and yep ... if you asked me what the best part of being a SU demonstrator I would hands down have to say the friendships I've formed through this craft and *job*. I KNOW! TOTALLY cheesy ... but totally true. I mean really. It's not like I'm making my millions doing this ... but I DO get to stay home to be able to take care of my family when they are sick, go on field trips, *work* in my pajamas most of the time, earn some income to take the family on a holiday once a year and best of all I have made some really awesome, very VERY dear friends ove the last 8 years and that really IS the best part of it all. I had an awesome time last night ladies. I hope you did too. Thank you THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your support and your friendship. You guys mean the world to me :)

Ok STOP it! ... enough blubbering already! On with a card! Today I'm sharing two cards ... I'm not sure I love either of them as they stand ... I think they need a *little* re-working ... but I didn't have the luxury of time last week so I'll share what I made for the display board and *tweak* it later ...

Hmmm ... I started out really liking the black and white one. Hard to see but there are 3 rhinestones in the centre of the flowers ... and a row of them under the sentiment. The image is from So Very Grateful - the sentiment from A Dozen Thoughts - both stamped in black Staz-on. I thought I'd make it again with coloring ... and now I'm not sure what I think of either of them. I think the black one looks unfinished. The colored one ... hmmm ... I think a 5th Whisteria Wonder flower is in order ... and I think the flowers have to be stamped before being punched. Not sure ... gunna play some more ... one day ... not today. Today I think we're heading out to the Ice on Whyte Festival in town for some family fun.

Pop in again to see a card that has everything but the kitchen sink on it - I had a BALL making THAT one!! Until then - I love you guys. Have a stampy day XOXO

Friday, January 24, 2014

Today's the day!!! I have between 20 and 30 stamping' crazed women coming over tonight for cards, food and laughs! Eeeeeeee!!! I'm so excited!!! So let's get to it … a million things to do!

Today's card is made with the new "People Like You" set …

I had fun playing with this new stamp. It DEMANDED to be embossed … so I did. I tried it on vellum first but it wasn't coming together easily … so I aborted to save some time … but I WILL revisit it … I embossed on a whisper white layer with black embossing powder. I then coloured the flowers with Whisteria Wonder and Coral Calypso and Wild Wasabi markers. Be careful if you do this … I wasn't careful to wipe off the embossed parts when I was done and it ended up on my fingers … and then smudged on the card. NOT the look I was going for but decided not to "let the perfect be the enemy of the good". Time is of the essence this week … so I left it! (and guess what? Nobody died and nobody lost a limb!!!)

I embossed the sentiment (from the same stamp) again on scrap and then punched stout with the decorative label punch. I then coloured the edge of it with my Crushed Curry marker and popped it up. It needed a little something so I added some teeny rhinestones to the centre of the flowers, one to the sentiment piece and then a little Pistachio Pudding Ruffled Trim to the bottom. Perfect!

OK … hope to see my local stampers tonight! Until next time … have a stampy day!!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Not AS busy today in that I don't have anything other than *the usual* to do … but it's a half day at school so it all has to be done quickly! … and of course I need to start setting up for tomorrow night. Hmmm …. I think it's time to enlist the help of the girls! They can set up the garage sale stuff in the basement. THAT should keep them out of trouble, out of my hair AND help me do what needs to be done! Perfect! THAT'S using my head for more than a hat rack (as my Dad would say!)

Today's share is another quick and easy card using the "Love You to the Moon"stamp set. Check it out:

Yay!

I used the Crumb Cake, Whisper White and Midnight Muse card stock (my favourite "guy" colour combo!) and Midnight Muse ink. I actually CUT my brand new Arrows embossing folder so I could emboss just small strips of card stock in the MIDDLE of a sheet … here is how I cut it:

I actually didn't NEED to cut the folder for the Midnight Muse blue strip … but my original design embossed the WHITE layer underneath it … for THAT I needed to cut the folder. Don't worry! If I ever want to emboss an entire layer I just close the parts I cut and carry on as normal :) This is what I mean ... if I ever want just a BIT of the pattern then I can do THIS now that it's cut:

Only the little strup will emboss. If/when I want to emboss a bull sheet I close it up again like this:

... and it's good as new :)

Right - back to the original card:

I used my heart framelits to cut out the heart … and embossed the xxxxxx's with my Needlepoint Border folder. I stamped the sentiments from Love you to the Moon and hand cut it into an arrow, popping the head up on a dimensional. It needed just a little something, so I added one of the new Basic Metal Buttons with a glue dot. Perfect. Love!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

My display board is coming along nicely! I have a few more additions to share with you :)

This one is a quick and easy monochromatic card …

Fun! I used the new Peaceful Petals stamp set in Bermuda Bay ink. I simply stamped it three times in a row, without reinking! I stamped the sentiment from "Four You" and made it into a banner with my paper snips. I made it wavy by using my bone folder. I scraped the side of the card stock along the side of the bone folder (using the corner of your desk works too!) I adhered it with snail just in the middle of the "Thinking" part of the banner … and added a large rhinestone.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

A slightly slower day today … but I WILL have to spend time watching the clock so I don't miss the pre-sale ticket sales for the upcoming Katie Perry concert at 10:00 am!!! Myself and about 45,000 other Edmonton and area moms will be on-line trying to scoop tickets so they can get an entry into the Mom-of-the-Year award with their daughters!!! Fingers crossed!!

Today's card uses the new FREE SAB set "See Ya Later":

This is a great, versatile little set that can be used for quick and easy cards. I stamped the sentiment in Baked Brown Sugar then cut it out with my Oval Framelits and popped it up. I used some of the FREE SAB Sweet Sorbet DSP and my new Banner Framelits for an accident and then a strip of the Baked Brown Sugar ruffled trim along the bottom. Three rhinestones on the candles finish it off.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Another busy day!! My Jillian Michaels DVD awaits … then it's dog walking, showering and tidying up before I head out to school to help out with yet another field trip! (… WE never had this many field trips when WE were in school, did we??!!) Today's volunteering isn't ideal as I still have a LOT I want to do before Friday night … and I'm volunteering again Wednesday … however .. the kids are my big rocks ... they fit into the jar first … the smaller rocks and sand will fill in around them :)

So let's get on with it, shall we? Today's card is a CASE from fellow U.S. demonstrator Dawn Tidd over at www.tiddbitsfromdawn.typepad.com I loved the clean, simple layout … I only changed the colour of the ink from red to Midnight Muse:

Quick, easy and ideal for a *guy* card (according to Craig). Minimal bling (I KNOW … guy cards aren't supposed to have ANY but …), no ruffles, just stamped and done! The card is Crumb Cake and the hearts are Whisper White and Midnight Muse. The heart is popped up and has a small rhinestone. The sentiment is from the new Love You to the Moon set. Oh! I rounded the corners of the top layer with my corner rounder punch and popped the layer up for a little dimensional interest.

That's it! Quick, easy, done! I made a second card using this set. Pop in again soon to see that one. Until then … have a stampy day!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

No lolly-gaggin' around here today … there's crafting' to be done!! I'm going hard and heavy on prepping samples using ALL my new toys from the new Occasions Catalogue and SAB 2014 brochure. It's easier than I thought! I'm about half way through the catalogues … my goal is to use EVERY stamp set, DSP, embellishment and kit I bought. THAT will get me to use it and not hoard it! I'm also having fun planning the display board. Really. Who has this much fun *working*??

Today I want to share my new favourite card. It better bask in the spotlight while it can …you know me … I'm sure to have a new favourite by the end of the day *lol*. Here it is:

LOVE it!!! I used three of my new toys on this card. Can you spot them? Yes, the stamp set is new - Vivid Vases. I just LOVE this image! When I first saw it it reminded me of he style of stamps that were out when I first started stamping … and I hd to have it! As you know I LOVE colouring so this was my obvious first swipe at using it … simple colouring the flowers with my blender pen and ink. I will play with it more when I'm not in a time crunch (yes, pressure is building as my Appreciation Night / Open House approaches …. but I promise not to get all crazy and stressed … still relaaaaaaxxxxxxed ….)

I stamped the vases with black Staz-on … a must when colouring. You don't want the outlined images to bleed … so Staz-on it is! I shaded the sides of the vases with my aqua painter dipped in Marina Mist ink.

The second new product is the Wonderful Watercolor DSP … and the third is the banner punch from the SAB brochure. This little bad boy is free with a minima $60 (Canadian) purchase starting Jan 28th. I just love the punch of Real Red in the banner and small heart (which is popped up on a dimensional). A little rhinestone on the banner and heart finish it off. LOVE IT!!!

That's it for now … like I said, the clock is ticking' … the craft room awaits!! Pop in again soon … I have LOTS of project to share in the coming days! Until then …. have a stampy Sunday!

Friday, January 17, 2014

WOW is it a beautiful day out there today!!! +8 degrees!! That's unHEARD of in Edmonton, Canada in mid January!!! It makes for SUCH a nice change from the nasty cold we've had this winter. Oh sure, I almost break my neck walking the dog, but I suppose it's better than getting frostbite!!! Craig made the Best-Dad-Ever list with the girls today as we pulled them from school at 11:30 so he could take them skiing!!! Oh ya - Daddy Rules!!!

I'm home cleaning and catching up on some work before "Craft Night" tonight. My craft room is 90% tidied/organized (notice I didn't mention purged?! Having trouble actually PARTING with anything ... but managing to stack it really nicely *lol*)

Thought I'd throw out a few Valentine ideas as the next big crafting *event* is fast approaching! I had a lot of fun playing around with some of my new toys ... and some of the *stuff* I found kicking around my craft room shelves!

Fun! They're so stinkin' cute!! My girls went nuts for these little jars ... the teeny little corks made them laugh! I got 6 of them at the Dollarama (for $1). I originally wanted to make some sort of *love potion* treat and tag but *meh* ... seemed like too much work ... so I grabbed my stash of cinnamon hearts ('cause they never go bad!), filled the jars, and added a bit of Early Espresso Bakers Twine, simply tying it in a not at the neck of the jar. Then I needed a tag. I WANTED to use the new little banner punch ... but it was a bit too small for what I wanted ... so I grabbed this framelit:

... which is from I DON" KNOW WHAT??!! No - it's not from Bitty Banners - that one was too small ... Ack! If you know what it's from please let me know ... now it's going to drive me crazy!

I punched out the banner, folded it in half and taped it together, over the twine. I stamped the "sweet" from Fabulous Phrases (page 70) in Early Espresso and added a Real Red Heart made with the small heart punch. Ta da! Quick, easy and adorable!!

The size is very deceiving in these pictures ... so here it is to scale next to my phone! The jar is only the size of my pinky finger, 2" high!

Next up are some great little fabours ... they are chocolate/sprinkle covered pretzels!

You can buy these large, fat pretzels at the *M* store ... and they also sell the pretzel bags to put them in (who knew??!!) The pretzels are 8" long and almost 3/4" fat. I think they are Snyder's brand. I looked elsewhere for them but Michaels is the only place I found them $2.99 a bag ... but I got a discount because a lot of them were broken!) AAAAAAAANYway ... I bought some Candy Melts (also at Michaels) ... melted them in the microwave, slathered the chocolate on the pretzels then sprinkled sprinkles on them. The girls and I actually made these on Christmas Eve ... they were SO quick and easy to make (they HAD to be for me to be *baking* on Christmas Eve!! (No ... I'm not giving these to anyone 2 months later ... I just used them for the picture *lol*)

Once the pretzels are ready (put them in the fridge so the chocolate hardens again) then you make the tag. I used my Hearts framelits for the hearts (Real Red and Strawberry Slush) for the large hearts then made a banner with a 2 3/4" x 3/4" strip of whisper white cs. I stampes the "thanks" in Staz-on with one of the stamps from the photopolymer set Another Thank You. (LOVE that set!!!) a little small heart finished it off.

Again, quick, easy and cute ... and don't forget FLIPPIN' DELICIOUS!!! I resisted trying one of these for about 3 days ... just didn't interest me. One day I was strolling through the fridge looking for something to satisfy my sweet tooth and thought I'd try one of these (my Dad and MIL had them at Christmas and said they were good). Oh. My. God! DELICOUS!!! Have you ever tried the Rold Gold Chocolate covered pretzels? I have. I'm not allowed to buy them anymore. It's insane. I open the bag and then all hell breaks loose. Seriously! Children are instructed to keep their hands well away for fear of losing one in the feeding frenzy that is Mommy with her chocolate covered pretzels!!! These taste just as good!!! The only thing keeping me from eating these samples is that they were made a month ago and the pretzels have gone soft ... how do I know? Oh ... I dunno ... maaaaaayyyyybeeee there used to be 3 of them .... maaaaayyyybeeee ...

OK - now I'm hungry and have to go eat an orange pepper. Yep - still on Jenny Craig and working out. I'm down 20 pounds since I started 5 months ago. OK. I can't lie. I WAS down 20 pounds ... the day before Christmas. Then Christmas happened. Now I'm only down 16. But I'm going string and will be down the 20 again next week, I'm SURE ... if I can stay away from the stale, soggy pretzels *lol*

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Thursday. That means half day for the kids. That means run around like a chicken with your head cut off for the Mom. It's 10:00 ... got coffee in, breakfast in, workout in (hate you Jillian Michaels!), now blog post ... then dog walk ... then tidy kitchen, super quick shower then off to the get the short people. Better crack on!

Today's card had me squealing with excitement! You can always tell how much of a card is *my own* by the level of excitement and decible (?) of squeal. This one was pretty high on both counts. I drew my inspiration from this card by Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek ...

I loved the colors! As usual I set out to copy it exactly ... but I wan't in a butterfly kind-of mood. So I started playing around. Here is the first card I made:

Beore I had any images on it Alicia gasped ... "Moooooooom ... that's beauuuuuuuuutiful ... can I HAVE it?" Ya no. Hands off kid. I promised to make her another one *lol*. The watercolor swipes are made iwth the Happy Watercolor stamp from the Occasions Mini. I sued (I think!) Temptinting Turquoise, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango and Melon Mambo. Yes. That was it. The yellow isn's as bright as I'd like ... maybe I need to reink the pad! I stamped the sentiment (from the same set ... LOVE when THAT happens!) with black Staz-on. I almost left it like that. The swipes were pretty enough on their own ... but I kept playing. I stamped the flower (from the same set) with black Stazon ... hmmm ... needed something. I grabbed my Illuminate ink pad and a QTip and colored the flowers. Shimmery! I DID add one rhinestone ... but I don't really like that part ... think I'll take it off. I added some Old Olive card stock behind the top layer of whisper white.

Nice ... but now I wanted to see what else I could do with the colors. Alicia (my official "opinionator") liked them so they MUST be awesome ... I thought I'd try the colors in a rainbow pattern ... and then it ALLLLL came together ... and I squealed ....

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it!!!! I made the rainbow with Real Red, Tangerine Tango, CRUSHED CURRY, (much brighter!), Gumball Green, Tempting Turgoise and Rich Razzleberry. I LOVED the look of the rainbow ... of course then I had the Rainbow song going through my head ... you know ... red, orange yellowwwwwww, green, blue purpllllllllle .... *lol* Next up I searched for a sentiment. I was going to go with the You Make Me Happy again ... and then I saw it ... and SQUEALED!!! The new See Ya Later set from the SAB brochure ... this one was PERFECT ... AND IT FIT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE WITHOUT EVEN TRYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pant, pant, pant ... ok ... see how crazy I get over these little things????? Breaaaaathe ... ok .... I stamped the sentiment in Early Espresso. For unknown reasons I added 3 rhinestones. These confused Craig. He didn't *get it*. I do't get it either ... but they're pretty, so they're staying. Ha!

Of course after I made the card the rainbow song left my head and was replaced by *Let the Sunshine In* sung by none other than Pebbles Flintstone ... which I leave you with now so it can be stuck in your head too ... a little flashback for those of you who are my age :) Until next time, have a sunshiny day!!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Well TODAY was an epic waste of time!! One of those days where you just spin your wheels all day. Oh sure, you're BUSY all day (doing Lord knows what!) but you don't actually ACCOMPLISH anything. Ugh! HATE days like those! I picked up a little steam after dinner and started to craft … but then there was a homework *emergency* ("Mom … can you come show me how to add a new page on my Word Document?" …Really? The kids can reprogram my iPhone but don't know to hit the return key until you are on a new page?? Mmm hmm … I'm thinking' someone just did't want to be alone!) Oh well … it gave me a bit of time to hit the lap top to do this post! All good :)

So! I promised to share with some little treats I cracked off in NO TIME using the Sweet Sorbet DSP (that is FREE with a $60 purchase starting January 28th!!) and my new Tag Topper punch from the Occasions 2014 Catalogue.

Here they are:

I cut strips of the DSP 6" long by 2" wide so they would fit inside the punch (see the video I posted a few days ago for a visual). I simply punched each end of the strip and then scored them at 2 3/4" and 3" using my Stampin' Trimmer (LOVE that thing!!) No … the score lines aren't EXACTLY in the middle of the tag but close enough. Remember "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good"! These were supposed to be quick and easy so I threw exact measuring to the wind … and you know what?? They look fine, nobody died and nobody lost a limb!!!

I stamped the Thank You So Much from the Lots of Thanks Set in Soft Suede ... and punched it out with the Artisan Punch. That got popped up on dimensionals after attaching two of the adorable little banners made with yet another SAB free item.

I taped a Swiss Delice chocolate inside the tag (Costco $12.99 for a bog of a LOT … over 250, I think) and then tied them shut with a 4" snippet of twine that is also one of the free SAB offerings.

That's it! I cracked off 30 in about an hour. An easy little treat to pop in with an order or hand to the cashier who made you smile :)

Pop in again tomorrow when I'll share my new favourite card with you!!! Yes, it made me squeal!! Until then … have a stampy night!

Just sitting here at 5:23 am ... not sleeping ... *sigh*. Woke up around 3:20 am with a CRACKING headache and the sound of the CRAZY gusting winds has kept me awake ever since. I suppose I SHOULD take this opportunity to exercise, since I'm scheduled to help 49 Grade 3 students lace up their skates at the rink today (LORD give me strength!!!) ... But Jillian Michaels has been very mean to me this week and after 2 days of her "30 Day shred" video I literally have to fall into chairs because I can't squat low enough to sit like a normal human being! ... the thought of adding to the pain (and of sweating at this time of day) doesn't really appeal to me *lol*!

I had time to play in my craft room last night and came up with 4 fun cards to share ... but not now. You know my photography skills aren't great at the BEST of times ... taking pictures while it's still dark outside would lead to an epic fail ... so you have to wait :)

I love the Perfect Pennants set and framelits! I used them last night and know they will be "keepers". I too love the "Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful" sentiment. It fits right in with my 2014 mind set!

Pop in again to see the treats I promised to share with you ... And all the cards I've come up with. Until then ... Have a stampy Wednesday!!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Another relaxing, slow and steady day around here today. It's 1:14 pm and all I have accomplished is walking the dog, excercising and eating lunch ... meh ... it's all good ... I'm really diggin' this relaxed pace ... but ya, I know, it's likely just a matter of time before all this relaxing bites me in the ass and I'm all stressed out about next weeks Customer Appreciation Night! I really SHOULD get cracking on making samples of projects with all my new toys ... but ... not enough pressure yet, I guess. Every time I hit the craft room lately I end up organizing instead of crafting. (Organizing is my second favorite thing to do ... after crafting / mess making). I generally only get into this mode every December/January. I can't MOVE for the *stuff* and the organizing begins. Of course you know how I am ... once I start a project I pretty much do nothing else until it's done. I figure another 2 days should just about do it. THEN I'll work on those projects. Of course I'm also telling myself it isn't something that HAS to be done! Right? I mean REALLY ... sure it would be NICE to have samples but if I don't does anyone die or lose a limb? No. I'll do what I can when I can ... in the mean time, the organizing continues!

Wanna see how I organized my Framelits?? Of COURSE you do!!! I LOVE this project - I had it done in NO TIME ... and felt really good about using up products I had kicking around in my craft room (I KNEW it would all come in handy one day! *lol*) So here is what I made:

YAY me! Here are a few more shots closer up ...

This project may seem familiar. Yes, last year around this time I had struck on *the answer* to framelit storage ... remember this?

I had simply used magnet sheets purchased from the *M* store, stuck them to the wall and was good to go. Fast forward a year and I realized I now had SO MANY more framelits that I had more in a box on my shelf than I did stuck to the wall. So I needed something else. Over the last month or two I've seen a few other people using the magnetic TAPE to hold their framelits. That worked nicely but I wanted something a little prettier to look at. I was sitting in my craft room looking at the stack of 12" x 12" metal boards I have had sitting around for about a year and figured it was time to use them! (What?? YOU don't have a stack of metal boards stashed away somewhere?? What if you had a crafting/storage emergency like this?? What would you do?! Seriously. You need to plan your hoarding a little more thoughtfully Sister!)

These metal boards I had aren't available for purchase - they were custom made a few years ago thanks to the genius that is Tamye Dunbar. She had these frames made that are able to hang on a wall after being decorated - generally to be used as bulletin boards or nice, framed pieces of art showcasing family pictures etc. ANYWAY ... you can't buy THESE anywhere but you can always use a dry erase board, a picture frame, plywood, cork board, that stuff with holes that your husband hangs in the garage to hand his tools on (ys, I know it has a name ... can't think of it *lol*) ... ANYthing would work. You simply cover your board/frame/wall with some pretty DSP (that I KNOW you are hoarding for just such projects!!!) and attache the magnetic tape to it in any way you like! The magnetic tape I used was bought from *that place* for $4.99 ...

You simply pull off the protective backing and it sticks to your project. It seriously doesn't get any easier than THAT! It actually took me longer to get my husband to HANG the boards than it did to MAKE the boards!! It won't be long before I run out of room again ... but luckily I have 3 boards left!! Oh, and you can see here ...

... on the far right of the picture ... I used just a strip of the tape to hold my envelope liner and circle framelit cutter/scorer thingy (I seem to be struggling for words today ... so unlike me!!!) This took up a lot less space than placing them on an actual board. (Although I know Craig isn't thrilled that if/when I ever have to peel it off it's going to take the paint off the wall! Oh well ... I can get around him :) )

K. I really SHOULD be doing something more productive so I'll run ... pop in again soon to see the cute little treats I made using the new FREE Sale-a-brations designer paper (available Jan 28th!!!). Until then - have a stampy day!!

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Happy Sunday!!! I can't begin to tell you what a great mood I'm in today! I SHOULD be tired and cranky due to another night of not-so great sleep but I'm just feeling so GOOD lately! Why? I think I really have the hang of this "relax" gig! I have had a GREAT week of just "going with the flow" and doing what I WANT to do not what I feel I HAVE to do ... and of course 95% of the time what I feel I HAVE to do is totally self-imposed and nobody really gives a rats patootie if I did "it" or not!! I have been organizing and purging almost every room, closet and drawer in the house ... and it feels great! I have been so much calmer, patient and loving towards Craig and the girls this week it's actually weirding me out a little *lol*. Pre-Christmas I was always agitated and "put out" if anyone asked anything of me. Really? You can't put Barbies's hair in a ponytail yourself? Really? You can't find your mitts yourself? Really? You're hungry again?? I just fed you 6 hours ago! Really? You can't drive yourSELF to school? Yep ... I was one wound up, stressed out Mom ... and hated it. I hated the tone of voice I used, I hated the lack of patience I had ... I hated it all. This week has been TOTALLY different. The kids seem shocked when they ask me to do something for them or play with them now and I say YES! I have been more fun so THEY have been more fun. We have gone places and done things together and it has been fabulous. I have two beautiful, awesome little people in my life and I really am blessed to be their mom. I am making the time to BE with the. ... and relax. It's been so great!

Ok, wow, didn't sit down and plan to gush all THAT out this morning!!! (Must be the lack of sleep!!). The plan was to just say hi and share the above video with you. Oh well ... You secretly love my reflective ramblings, don't you? *lol*. The flower die they show is one of my new toys that I hope to play with today while "relaxing" ... But we'll see how the day goes!

Pop in again soon to see what I put together Friday night. I had PLANNED to make cards with my guests at my Technique class ... But I got sidetracked (SQUIRREL!) and ended up making some Framelit Storage boards instead (as you do!) Craig is going to hang them today so I'll take pictures and post them soon. Until then, have a stampy, relaxing day!!!

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Phew! What a week! Despite catching a cold when I volunteered at school on Tuesday and throwing my back out from the sneezing that CAME from said cold I managed to get quite a bit done around here! Mind you most of it happened between 1:00 am and 3:00 am while I was NOT sleeping but hey! I'll take what i can get! I actually didn't MIND the non-sleeping because the weather has really turned around the last few days. Nothing like going from -38 degrees to +1 in a few days to improve a gals mood! Heck … even Koda seems happier now that the deep freeze isn't quite so deep!

Right! Enough about that! I don't have a new project to share today … I have better .. I have all of my Valentine treats, notes and cards from years gone by! My friend Terri asked if I had ideas for her son's class … I thought I'd share with everyone! I won't describe each project … you should be able to find them on my blog somewhere … generally search on the right hnd side for projects in December, January and/or February of each year.

About Me

Hello!
I am a SAHM to two GREAT kids, a wife to a GREAT man and a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator living in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I LOVE all things crafty and I absolutely LOVE what I do! Please know that the content in this blog is my sole respoinsibility as an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and the use of and content of this blog is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!
Thank you for popping in - I hope you find a project you like and leave inspired!